If you decide on visiting Belgium as a tourist, you will find its citadels and castles as enchanting and mesmerizing as no other buildings you have ever encountered! However, if Belgium is your dream study-abroad destination, your fascination with this enticing country will leave you with an unforgettable experience!
Its perfect location, scrumptious food, and fairytale forests are what sets Belgium apart from other European countries. Regardless of its seemingly minuscule size, you will not have a dull moment traveling throughout this country.
Apart from breathtaking vistas, this country provides international students a rich and quality education along with awesome Belgium scholarships.
Living costs in Belgium for international students
International students living in Belgium spend on average between $1000-$1500 monthly. If you choose an on-campus dormitory you should expect to spend around $350, utilities included. However, if you prefer the privacy of renting your own place, the costs of renting an apartment might go up to $800.
If you are looking for a more affordable cuisine, it would be best to choose to buy your groceries at Belgium’s supermarkets. However, deciding to treat yourself every once in a while by eating out might cost between $10 – $20. Monthly transportation and entertainment costs go up to $100 a month.
Can international students work in Belgium?
If you decide to study in Belgium, you might be thrilled to find out that you don’t need to be an EU citizen to be allowed to work. The only condition to be legally allowed to search for job options is to have a valid residence permit. However, during the academic year, students are entitled to work not more than 20 hours per week. During the holiday and vacation season, there are no limitations.
Top universities in Belgium
KU Leuven
Providing their students with research-oriented academic experiences, KU Leuven is among some of the highly positioned European universities. Being a leading European research institution, it also provides an immense amount of programs in English to its students.
Ghent University
Thousands of students choose Ghent University every year because of its high worldwide reputation that enables them to pursue an international career upon graduating. Its perfect location and diverse and vibrant on-campus culture enable its students to acquire unforgettable memories as well as quality education.
The University of Antwerp
Known for its student-centered learning approach, the University of Antwerp composed quality programs that enable its students to maximize their learning potentials and get the most of their academic experience. Thousands of prospective students interested in Social Sciences hurl to enroll in this renowned institution every year.
Best Scholarships in Belgium
1. The University of Antwerp Scholarships
This prestigious institution welcomes hundreds of international students every year. If you are a graduate student enticed by the idea of spending your academic year in Belgium, studying at the University of Antwerp should be on top of your list.
Students interested in pursuing their degrees in Social Sciences are welcome to apply for a tuition reduction at the University of Antwerp. This Belgium scholarship is mostly based on academic excellence, therefore it is required to provide GPA transcripts, motivational letters, and the outcome of the interviews with prospective candidates.
2. Ghent University Top-up Grants
If you come from a country included in the OECD Development Assistance Committee and are looking for a scholarship in Belgium to cover your Master’s degree program, don’t hesitate to apply for Ghent University Top-up grants. The awarded scholarship covers a monthly allowance and health insurance.
However, travel expenses and the costs of applying for a visa are not included, so prospective candidates should bear these expenses in mind. The selection criteria are mostly based on each applicant’s qualifications and relevance and applicability of their program in their home country.
3. UHasselt – Master Mind Scholarships
Hasselt University provides scholarships to outstanding graduate students coming from Japan, Palestine, Mexico, and the USA. If you come from either of these countries and your GPA is not below 3.5, you should consider applying for this program. The awardees will receive around $9500 for each academic year they spend in Belgium.
Apart from the recommendation letters, transcripts, and their resumes, applicants should provide their English proficiency proof. If you have already selected your perfect Master’s program at this institution, don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply to this excellent Belgium scholarship!
4. Science@Leuven Scholarships
Students searching for an opportunity to obtain their Master’s degree in a highly reputable European university should definitely consider Leuven University. Students receiving this prestigious Belgium scholarship will obtain fully covered tuition, health insurance, and a monthly allowance.
Famous for its prominent research, studying at this institution is an excellent chance for all international students who want to hone their research abilities further. If you are thrilled about pursuing your Master’s degree in Science, to apply for this program you should have in mind that it’s required to provide your academic records transcript, recommendation letters, and English proficiency proof.
5. UCLouvain Ph.D. Scholarships
The University of Louvain welcomes Ph.D. students from developing countries who want to spend up to 3 years at this eminent institution. The criterion is mostly based on prospective doctoral students’ academic excellence and the relevance of their research proposal. Offering a vast number of programs, the University of Louvain provides its students with tremendous opportunities of developing their academic careers further and achieving a high level of expertise in their chosen field. This scholarship in Belgium covers a monthly allowance and travel expenses.
Although its delicate chocolate is what sets Belgium apart from other European countries, international students dreaming of studying in Europe will discover that there’s more to Belgium than meets the eye. Its prestigious universities and stunning landscapes are just waiting to be discovered! Whichever city you choose to spend your foreign-study experience in, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Whether you are a fan of enchanting canal tours or you prefer visiting Brussels’ museums, Belgium’s perfect education system with its great scholarships will enable you to not miss out on any leisure activity you would like to experience.
